The riel is the official currency of Cambodia despite most Cambodians preferring the US Dollar which has become the country's most common currency. In rural areas the riel is used for virtually all purchases, but in urban Cambodia and tourist areas the Riel notes are only used for fractional dollar amounts.

Two years after Singapore's independence from Malaysia in 1965, the monetary union between Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei broke down. Singapore issued its first independent coins and notes in 1967. Interchangeability with the Brunei dollar is still maintained.